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When the band announced last spring that a tour this year was planned, Lindsey was reluctant and wanted to focus on his solo work.

And so now, as in 1987 when was replaced by Billy Burnette and Rick Vito, Lindsey finds himself replaced by two new members with Crowded House’s Neil Finn and former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell joining Fleetwood Mac for their upcoming tour.

Interviewing the band separately before their gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2013 it was clear that Lindsey was the outsider who wanted to do things his way.

First he stopped journalists watching the band sound-check after Mick had invited them into the arena.

Later, he dismissed the rumour that Stevie’s good friend Sheryl Crow might take the place of Christine McVie who had “retired” in 1998.

Lindsey said snarkily: “There aren’t too many people who would be able to fill that bill. With Sheryl I thought it was pretty funny.”